Azure vs. Google Cloud

1. What is Microsoft Azure?

Azure is a cloud computing service provided by Microsoft. The services it offers are computing, storage, analytics, artificial intelligence, networking, and databases. Azure was launched on the 1st of February 2010 and has since expanded its services and reach. The provider is stretched across 54 regions worldwide with 162 availability zones.

Azure promises a resilient infrastructure, a powerful platform, and intelligent software through Infrastructure as a Service (Iaas), Platform as a service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS). Thanks to Microsoft’s spread of business applications, its cloud computing services have seamlessly integrated with enterprises and has made Microsoft Azure the most successful cloud computing service provider.

2. What is Google Cloud or Google Cloud Platform?

Google Cloud Platform or GCP is also a public cloud service that runs on the same infrastructure that Google uses for its end-user products. It offers management tools and other cloud services, such as data analytics, data storage, and machine learning. The services it offers are split into IaaS, SaaS, and Serverless Computing.

The platform was launched in 2008 and has since provided its services in 20 geographical regions. Though it loses out to Azure in reach, its unrivaled scale and its Kubernetes application container deployment give GCP an advantage.

3. Azure vs. Google Cloud

a. Storage Services

The two offer similar storage facilities across the standard storage tiers.

Both Azure and Google Cloud make available the encryption of stored data for security and maintain redundancy, i.e., making multiple copies of stored data to ensure your data is durable.

In Azure, the resources in storage accounts can be accessed by any language that can make HTTP/HTTPS requests. Furthermore, it provides programming libraries for a host of languages. This makes the whole process of handling and working with Azure storage services trouble-free.

GCP configures data through OLM or Object Lifecycle Management to automatically transition to a lower-priced storage option based on the criteria you provide. Additional features such as Collaboration and Mobile Storage make access to stored resources easy and seamless.

b. Computing Services

Again, the services provided to run VMs and containerized applications remain similar across the two cloud computing platforms. While the services are identical, Azure’s massive data center and infrastructure make it difficult for GCP to compete. With a more linear learning curve and reliable Kubernetes service, Google Cloud Platform levels the score.

c. Pricing

Service cost and pricing is a significant feature when deciding between the two providers. Both Azure and Google Cloud use the pay-as-you-go model, which gives more flexibility and control over your expenditure. In comparison, it is seen that Google Cloud’s pricing is significantly cheaper because of its billing methods. GCP uses sustained usage discounts and preemptive virtual machines to give discounts and cut costs.

Azure’s services are costlier than Google Cloud Platform. The prices can be justified by its reach, business scale, and data infrastructure, but at the end of the day, Google Cloud’s pricing gives GCP a much-needed boost.

In conclusion, Azure provides a better and well-rounded set of services that seamlessly integrate with pre-established business models. Though the pricing is higher and the learning curve is steep, its robust structure, massive data center, and greater reach make GCP a secondary option.

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